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Amber Alert

Monday, March 10, 2008

DOT attempts defense of cross-border program

Monday, March 10, 2008 – A press conference staged by the Department of Transportation in defense of the cross-border trucking program with Mexico drew immediate criticism from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

In a press conference today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters contended that now is not the time to halt efforts to implement trucking provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Peters said a group of more than 69 U.S. companies and agricultural and business organizations support the program because of the benefits it provides to U.S. exporters who every year ship billions of dollars worth of products and produce into Mexico.

In a press release following the press conference, Peters hinted toward retaliation by Mexico if the program is stopped.

If the program is stopped by Congress, Mexico has the right under the rules of NAFTA to impose fees and tariffs on U.S. goods that would surely result in lost business and lost jobs, she stated in the written release.

“It’s a sad attempt at economic fear mongering,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer in a press release. “Despite their lip service, they well know the pilot program is outside of the law.”

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